¶Capm.jm.
¶ A deuoute Meditacioun of the grete counſeile in heuene for the reſtorynge of man and his ſauacioun.

After the tyme that man was exiled oute of the hiȝe Citee of heuene by the riȝtwis dome of all myȝty god / ſouereyne kyng thereof / for his treſpas and his ſynne· and ſo wrecchedly lay in preſoun / and was holden in the bondes of that tyraunt the deuel of helle / that none myȝte come aȝen to that bleſſed citee the ſpace of fyue thowſand ȝere and more: alle the bleſſid ſpirites of heuene deſirynge the reſtorynge of her companye / that was fallen doun with lucifer / hadden grete compaſſioun of ſo longe meſchief of man that was made to here reſtorynge / and preiden often for his reſtorynge / but ſpecially and with more inſtauncePage  14 whan the tyme of grace was comen. What tyme / as we mowen deuoutly ymagyne / alle that bleſſid companye of aungels gedered to gidre with one wille and ſouereyne deuocioun fellen doun proſtrate to fore the trone of almyȝty god / kyng of heuene. And gabriel / to whom / as ſeint Bernard ſeith / was made ſpecial reuelacioun of criſtes incarnacioun / in her alther name ſeide in this manere: Almyȝty lord / it liked in ȝoure hiȝe maieſte / of ȝoure endeles goodneſſe / to make of nouȝt that noble and reſonable creature / man / for oure conforte and oure goodneſſe· that of hym ſchulde be made the reſtorynge of oure falſe companye/ lucifer and his felawes / that fellen doun fro vs by apoſtacie· ſo that he ſchulde dwelle here in this bliſſed place with vs/ louynge and worſchippynge ȝow with outen ende. But loo / good lorde / now alle thei periſſhen and none is ſaued· and in ſo manye thowſand ȝere paſſed / we ſeie none of hem alle here. Oure enemyes hauen the victorie· and of hem oure party is noȝt reſtored / but the priſoun of helle continuelliche filled. Wherto / lorde / be they borne to ſo greet meſchief? For though it be done after ȝoure riȝtwiſneſſe· neuertheleſſe / lord / it is now tyme of mercye. Haueth in mynde that ȝe made hem after ȝoure owne likneſſe· and though her forme fadres folily and wrecchedly breken ȝoure maundement or heſte: neuertheles ȝoure mercye is aboue alle thinges. Wherfore all her eyȝen ben ſette vppon ȝow / as the ſeruantes in the lordes handes / til ȝe haue mercye / and helpe hem with a ſpedeful and heleful remedie.

¶ De contencione inter miſericordiam et veritatem.

¶ Herewith bygan a manere of altercacioun and diſputeſoun bytwixe the foure kynges douȝtres / that is to ſaie / mercy and ſothfaſtneſſe / pees and riȝtwiſneſſe. Of the whiche foure / mercye and pees accordynge to the aungels prayer forſeide weren fauorable to mannis reſtorynge: butPage  15 the tother tweyne ſiſtres / ſothefaſtnes and riȝtwiſneſſe / aȝeyne ſeiden: als ſeint Bernard be deuouȝt ymaginacioun maketh herof a faire proceſſe and a long. But forto take therof ſchortly / as to oure purpos at this tyme / ſumwhat in othere manere and in othere wordes we mowen ymagyne and thenke thus: Firſt / mercy and pees knelynge to fore her fader / kyng of heuene / by the prophetes wordes Dauid ſeiden thus: Lorde / ſchalt thou caſt away fro the man with owten ende / or haſt thou forȝeten to doo mercye? And this often and longe tyme they reherſeden. Thanne ſeide oure lorde: Lete clepe forth ȝoure othere tweyne ſuſtres / the whiche ȝe ſeen redy aȝenſt ȝow / and lete vs here alſo what they wole ſeie herto.

¶ And whan they were cleped / and comen alle togidre / mercy bygan and ſeide in this wiſe: My fader of mercy / it was ȝoure wille euere with outen ende amonge ȝoure othere douȝtres / my ſuſtres / to ȝeue me that prerogatyf abouen alle ȝoure werkes / that not onliche I ſchulde ſpecially regne here with ȝow in heuene / bot alſo that the erthe ſchulde be replenyſched and filled with me to ſo mykel vertu that who ſo wolde trewely and biſely aſke my help in any meſchief or nede / he ſchulde with outen fayle fynde ȝoure ſocour and helpe thoruȝ the mediacioun of me. But loo now / my dere fader / that worthy party of erthe and ȝoure noble creature man / in his grete wrecchedneſſe and meſchief ſo longe tyme liggynge / cryeth contynuellyche and aſketh after myn helpe· and now tyme is comen in the whiche but ȝe helpe and ſaue hym I periſſhe and leſe my name.

¶ Here aȝenſt the other ſiſter / ſothefaſtneſſe / ſeide: And ȝe knowen wele my fader / ſothfaſt god / that I am the bygynnynge of ȝoure wordes / and after ȝe made man in ſo grete worthyneſſe / ȝe wedded me to hym in thatPage  16 condicioun that what tyme he breke ȝour heſte / he and alle that comen of hym ſchulde leſe hir bleſſid lyf and be dampned and done to dethe. Wherefore ſithen he forſoke me / and betoke hym to ȝoure enemye and myne / the fader of leſynge / witneſſynge my ſiſtre riȝtwiſneſſe / I periſche and leſe my name but he hath the dethe that he hath deſerued.

¶ Thanne ſpake ryȝtwiſneſſe and ſeide: Riȝtwyſe lorde / my fader / thou haſt ordeyned me gouernour of thy dome / laſtynge with outen ende· and my ſiſtre truthe techer of thy lawe: and al though it ſo be that oure ſiſter mercye be ſtired of pitee and a gode ȝele for mannis ſauacioun· neuertheles in that ſche wolde ſaue hym that hath ſo greetly forfeted aȝenſt ȝow and vs alſo with outen dewe ſatisfaccioun / ſche wolde deſtroye vs bothe hir ſiſtren / that is to ſeie trewthe and riȝtwiſneſſe / and fordone oure name.

¶ Herwith the ferthe ſuſtir / Pees / came forth / and firſt ſoberlly blamynge hir ſuſtres for here contrarious wordes and her ſtryf / ſeide to hem thus: Knowe ȝe not wele / ſuſtres / that oure fader hath ordeyned and made his place onliche there as I am / and I may not abide ne dwelle there as is ſtryf or diſencioun? and that is noȝt ſemely / bot fully aȝenſt kynde to be amonge vertues. Wherfore but ȝe ceſe of ſtryf and be accorded / I moſte forſake ȝow and my fader alſo. Lo here a grete contrauerſy bitwix theſe foure douȝters of oure lorde· and ſo grete reſones that it was noȝt ſeyn how that in mannis ſauacioun / mercy and ſothfaſtneſſe / pees and riȝtwiſneſſe / myȝt fully be kept and accorded.

¶ Than bad the fader of heuene / that for alſo mykel that he hadde committed and ȝeuen alle his dome to his dere ſone / ſouereyne wiſdome / kyng euerlaſtynge / with hymPage  17 in one godhede / that thiſe foure douȝtres ſchulde goo to hym / he to termyne this queſtioun and ȝeue a dome theron. And than the kyng / ſouereyn wiſdom / wroot the ſentence and the dome in this matere / and toke it to his Chauncelere / Reſoun / to rede it in his name / ſaienge in this wordes: This douȝter ſothfaſtneſſe ſeith / that ſche periſſheth and leſeth her name / but man haue the deth that he hath diſſerued· and with her accordeth her ſuſter riȝtwiſneſſe: and on the othere ſide mercy ſeith / that sche periſſheth and leſeth hir name / bot man haue mercy and be ſaued· and with her accordeth the ferthe ſuſtre Pees. Wherfore to accorde alle thiſe to gidre / and for a fynal dome in this matire / let be made a gode dethe of man· ſo that one be founden with outen ſynne that may and wole innocently and for charitee ſuffre deth for man: and thanne haue they all that they aſken. For than may not deth lenger holden hym that is with owten ſynne or treſpas· and ſo he ſchal pers hym / makyng in hym a hole and a way / thoruȝ the whiche man may paſſe and be ſaued.

¶ In this ſentence and dome alle the courte of heuen / wondring and commendynge the ſouereyn wiſdam / aſſenteden wel herto· but furthermore aſkeden amonge hem ſelf / where that one myȝte be founden that ſchulde fulfille and do this dede of charite.

¶ And than mercy toke with hir reſoun and ſouȝte among alle the ordres of aungels in heuene to ſe whether any of hem were able to doo this dede· bot ther was none. Alſo ſothfaſtneſſe ſouȝte fro heuene to the clowdes bynethen / whether there were eny creature that myȝte perfourme it· and they weren alle vnable.

¶ Riȝtwiſneſſe went doun to Erthe and ſouȝte among the hiȝe hilles / and in to the depe pytte of helle / whether there were eny man that myȝte take this good and innocentPage  18 deth; but there was none founden clene of ſynne / no / not the child of one dayes birthe. And ſo ſche went aȝen vppe to hir ſuſtres tellynge / that alle men had forfeted and weren vnable· and there was non that myȝte do that good dede. Wherfore they weren alle full ſory and heuy that they myȝte not fynde that one that they deſireden. Than ſeide pees: Wete ȝe not wele / that the prophete that ſeide there is none founden that may done good· afterward he putteth to more and ſeith / til it come to oon: this oon man may be he that ȝaf the ſentence forſaide of mannis ſauacioun. Wherfore preie we hym that he wole helpe and fulfille it in dede. For to hym ſpeketh the prophete after in the foreſeide pſalme / ſaienge: Lord / thou ſchalt ſaue man and beſtes after thy mykel mercy. Bot thanne was a queſtioun amonge the ſuſtres committed to Reſoun forto determyne which perſone of thre / fader and ſone and holy gooſt / one god / ſchulde become man and doo this merciful dede. Thanne ſeide reſoun: That for als mykel as the perſone of the fader is propurly dredeful and myȝty· the perſone of the ſone al wyſe and witty· and the perſone of holy goſt moſte benigne and goodly: the ſecound perſone ſemeth moſt conuenient as to the fulle acorde of the forſeide ſuſtres to the ſkilful remedie of man and to the moſte reſonable victorie of the enemye. For as anemptis the firſte: ȝif the perſone of the fader ſchulde doo this dede / for his drede and myȝt mercy and pees myȝte ſumwhat haue him ſuſpecte as not fully fauorable to hem· and ſo on the tother ſide / for the ſouereigne benignyte and goodneſſe of the holy gooſte / truthe and riȝtwiſneſſe myȝt drede of nouȝt ful ſatisfaccioun / but to mykel mercy of hym. Wherfore as a good mene / euene to bothe parties / the perſone of the ſone is moſt conuenient to performe this dede thoruȝ his ſouereyn wit andPage  19 wiſdome. Alſo it ſemeth moſt ſkilful remedye to man: for alſo mykel as he forfeted by vnwitte and foly that ſatisfaccioun be made for hym by ſothefaſt wiſdome / that is the ſone. So that as he fel to dethe by the falſe worde of the fende / that he riſe aȝen to lyf by the trewe worde of god. And as for moſt reſonable victorie of the enemy / it is ſkilful that as he conquered man by wicked ſleiȝte and falſe wiſdome· ſo he be ouercome and venquyſſhed by good ſleiȝte and trewe wiſdome. And whanne reſoun had ſaide this verdyt / the fader ſeide it was his wille that it ſchulde be ſo: the ſone ȝaf gladly his aſſent therto: and the holy goſt ſeide he wolde worche therto alſo. And than fallynge doun alle the holy ſpirites of heuene and ſouereynly thonkynge the holy trinite / the foure ſuſtres aforſeide weren keſſid and made acorde. And ſo was fulfilled that the prophete dauid ſeide: Mercye and ſothefaſtneſſe metten louely to gidere· Riȝtwiſnes and pees hauen kiſſed.

¶ And thus was termyned and ended the grete counſeille in heuene for the reſtorynge of man and his ſauacioun. The whiche proceſſe ſchal be taken as in likneſſe and oneliche as a manere of a parable and deuouȝte ymagynacioun / ſtirynge man to loue god ſouereynly for his grete mercye to man and his endeles godeneſſe· alſo / to honour and worſchippe the bliſſed aungelis of heuene for hir good wille to man and for his ſauacioun makynge continuele beſyneſſe· and alſo / to loue vertues and hate ſynne that brouȝt man to ſo grete wrecchedneſſe. And thus mykel and in this manere may be ſaide and thouȝt by deuouȝt contemplacioun of that was done abouen in heuene bifore the Incarnacioun of Jeſu. Now goo we doun to erthe· and thynke we how hit ſtood with his bleſſid moder marie / and what was hire lyuynge here bifore the incarnacioun that foloweth after.

¶Cam.2m.
¶ Of the manere of lyuynge of the bleſſed virgyne mayden marie.

As it is writen in the lyf of oure lady ſeynt marye / whan ſche was thre ȝere olde ſche was offred in the temple of hir fader and moder / and there ſche abode and dwelled in to the fourtenthe ȝere: and what ſche dede / and how ſche lyuede there in that tyme / we mowen knowe by the reuelaciouns made of hir to a deuouȝt woman / the whiche men trowen was ſeint Eliȝabeth. In the whiche reuelaciouns is conteyned among othere / that oure lady tolde to that ſame womman and ſeide in this manere: Whan my fader and my moder laften me in the temple I purpoſed and ſette ſtably in my herte to haue god vnto my fader· and ofte ſithes with grete deuocioun I thouȝt what I myȝt doo pleſynge to god· ſo that he wolde vouche ſauf to ſende me his grace: and here with I was tauȝt and I lerned the lawe of my lord god. In the whiche lawe / of alle the heſtes and byddynges / principally I kepte thre in my herte. The firſte is: Thou ſchalt loue thy lord god with all thyn herte / with al thy ſoule / with al thy mynde / and with al thy myȝt: the ſecound: Thow ſchalt loue thy neiȝhebore as thy ſelf: and the thridde is: Thou ſchalt hate thyn enemy. Theſe thre I kepte trewely in herte / and anon I conceyued and toke alle the vertues that beth conteyned in hem. For there may no ſoule haue eny vertue but it loue god with alle the herte· for of this loue cometh al the plente of grace: and after it is comen it abideth nouȝt in the ſoule / bot renneth out as water bot it ſo be that he hate his enemyes / that is to ſaie vices and ſynnes. Wherfore he that wole haue grace and kepe it / it byhoueth that he diſpoſe and ordeyne his herte to loue and to hate / as it is ſeide. And ſo I wole that thou doo in manere as I didde. I roſe vp algate at mydnyȝt andPage  21 went forth byfore the auȝter of the temple / and there with alſo grete deſire and wille and affeccioun as I kowthe and myȝte / I aſked grace of all myȝty god to kepe tho thre heſtes and alle othere biddynges of the lawe· and ſo ſtondynge to fore the auȝter I made vij peticiouns to god / the whiche ben theſe. Firſt / I aſked grace of all myȝty god / thoruȝ the whiche I myȝt fulfille the heſte of loue / that is to ſay / forto loue hym with al my herte / &c.;: the ſecounde / I aſked that I myȝt loue myn neigheboure after his wil and his likynge / and that he wolde make me to loue alle that he loueth: the thridde / that he wolde make me to hate and eſchewe alle thing that he hateth: the ferthe / I aſked mekenes / pacience / benignyte / and ſwetteneſſe / and alle othere vertues by the whiche I myȝt be gracioſe and pleſynge to goddes ſiȝte: the fifte peticioun I made to god / that he wolde lete me ſe the tyme in the whiche that bleſſid mayden ſchulde be born that ſchulde conceiue and bere goddes ſone· and that he wolde kepe myne eyȝen that I myȝt ſee hire / myne eris that I myȝt here hir ſpeke / my tunge that I myȝt preiſe hir / myne hondes that I myȝt ſerue hir with / my feete that I myȝte goo to hir ſeruiſe and myne knees with the whiche I myȝte honoure and worſchippe goddes ſone in hir barme. In the ſixte peticioun I aſked grace to be obeſiaunt to the biddynges and the ordenaunces of the biſſhop of the temple. And in the ſeuenthe I prayde god to kepe all the peple to his ſeruiſe.

¶ And whan the forſeide womman / criſtes ſeruaunt / had herd theſe wordes ſche ſeide aȝeyn: A / ſwete ladye / were not ȝe ful of grace and of alle vertues? And the bleſſed mayden marye anſwerde: Wete thou wele certeyne that I held my ſelf als gilty / moſte abiecte / and vnworthy the grace of god / as thow: and more ouer troweſt thou / douȝter / that al the grace that I hadde / I hadde with outenPage  22 trauaile? Nay / not ſo· but I telle the / and do the to wite / that I hadde no grace / ȝifte / nor vertue of god / with oute grete trauaille / contynuele prayer / ardaunt deſire / profounde deuocioun / and with many teres and moche affliccioun· ſpekynge / thenkynge / and doynge alle wey as I kouthe and myȝte that was pleſing to god· that is to ſay outake the holy grace thoruȝ the whiche I was halowed in my moder wombe. And furthermore oure lady ſeide: Wite thou wele in certeyne that there cometh none grace in to a mannis ſoule but by prayer and bodily affliccioun: and after that we haue ȝeuen to god tho thinges that we mowen / though they ben litel and fewe / than cometh he in to the ſoule / bryngynge with hym ſo grete and ſo hiȝe ȝiftes of grace that it ſemeth to the ſoule that ſche failleth in her ſelf and leſeth mynde / and thenketh not that euere ſche ſeide or dede eny thing pleſynge to god / and than ſche ſemeth in hir owne ſiȝt more foule and more wrecched than ſche was euere byfore.

¶ All this ſentence is conteyned in the forſeide reuelaciouns. Alſo ſeynt Jerome / writynge of hir lyfe / ſeide in this manere: that the bleſſed mayden marye ordeyned to hir ſelf this manere of rule in lyuynge / that fro the morwe into the tierce of the day ſche ȝaf hire all to prayeres· and fro tierce in to none ſche occupied hir bodily with weuynge werk· and efte fro none ſche went not fro prayeres til the aungel of god come and appered to hir / of whos hande ſche toke mete to the bodily ſuſtinaunce: and ſo ſche profited algate bettre and bettre in the werk and in the loue of god. And ſo it byfel that ſche was founden in wakynge the firſte / in the wiſdome of goddes lawe moſt kunnynge / in mekenes moſt lowe / in the ſonges and the pſalmes of dauid moſt conuenient and ſemeliche / in charite moſt gracious / in clenneſſe moſt clene / and in all manere vertuePage  23 moſt perfite. Sche was ſad and invariable· ſo ferforth that as ſche profited better and better / ſo was there none that euere ſyhe or herde hir wrooth. Alle hir ſpeche was ſo ful of grace that god was knowen by here tonge. Sche was contynuelliche abidynge and dwellynge in prayere and in the lore of goddes lawe· and algate beſy aboute hir felawes that none of hem ſchulde treſpace or ſynne in any word / and that none ſchulde lawhe diſſolutely / and alſo that none of hem ſchulde offende other thoruȝ pryde or any wrong. And euere with oute faillynge ſche bleſſid god. And leſt perchaunce by eny gretynge or preyſinge ſche ſchulde be letted fro the louynges of god / what tyme eny man grette hir / ſche anſwered aȝen Deo gracias / that is to ſay / thonked be god: wherfore of hir ſprong firſt that what tyme holy men ben gret they ſeien aȝeyn Deo gracias / as ſche dide. Sche was fedde of the mete that ſche toke of the aungels hande· and that mete that ſche toke of the biſſhop of the temple ſche ȝaf to pore men. Euery day goddes aungelle ſpake with hir / and als he ſchulde to his derworthe ſuſtre or moder / ſo he ſerued and was obeiſaunt to hir. Thus moche ſeith ſeynt Jerome of hir lyf. Furthermore in hir fourtenthe ȝere that bleſſed mayden marye was wedded to Joſeph by the reuelacioun of god· and thanne wente ſche home aȝen in to naȝareth· als it is writen by proces in the ſtorie of hir natiuitie.

¶ But thus myche at this tyme ſuffiſeth to haue in mynde and in contemplacioun of the thinges that byfellen byfore the Incarnacioun· the whyche who ſo wil wele thynke and haue deuoutly in mynde and folwe vertuouſly in dede / he ſchal fynde hem ful of gooſtly fruyte. Now come we to ſpeke of the Incarnacioun of oure lord Jeſu.

¶Capm.3m.
¶ Of the Incarnacioun of Jeſu / and the feſte of the annunciacioun· and of the gretyng Aue maria.

¶Cam.iiijm.¶ How that oure lady wente to Eliȝabeth and mekely grette hire.

After the proceſſe of the Incarnacioun of Jeſu bifore ſeide / the bliſſed mayden marie hauynge in mynde the wordes of the aungele touchynge hir coſyne Eliȝabeth / ſche purpoſed to viſite hir forto thonke god with her / and alſo to mynyſtre and to ſerue hir: and ſo with hir houſebonde and ſpouſe / Joſeph / ſche wente fro naȝareth to hir houſe by ſide Jeruſalem / that is the ſpace of ſixty myle and fourtene or there aboute. Sche taried not and letted not for the longe and diſeſy way / but anone with haſte ſche wente· for ſche wolde not longe be ſeyen in the open amonge folk: and ſo ſche was not heuyed or charged by the conceyuynge of hir ſone as comounly beeth othere wymmen· for oure lord Jeſu was not chargeant to his moder.

¶ Now take hede how this bleſſed lady / quene of heuene and of erthe / gothe allone with hir ſpouſe / and that not vppon horſe / bot on foote. Sche ledeth noȝt with hir many knyȝtes and barouns / ne grete companye of bouremaydens and damyſeles· but ſothely there gooth with hir a wel better companye / and that is pouert / mekenes / and honeſte ſchamefaſtnes / ȝe and plente of alle vertues: and the beſte of alle / that is oure lord god is with hir. Sche hath a grete and worſchipfull companye / bot not of the vanyte and pompe of the world.

¶ And what tyme ſche come and entred in to the hous of ȝakarie ſche gret his wyf Eliȝabeth in this manere: Al heile / my dere ſuſter / Eliȝabeth. And anone here with Eliȝabeth / glad and ioyful and liȝtened thoruȝ the holy gooſt / roſe vp and clipped hir derworthely and tendirly / crienge for ioye and ſeienge thus: Bleſſid be thou amonge wymmen / and bleſſid be the fruyte of thy wombe! AndPage  38 wherfore / or / of what deſerte is this byfalle me that the moder of my lord ſchulde come to me? And ſo ferforth in the wordes of the goſpel. And ſo what tyme that oure bleſſid lady grette Eliȝabeth / John in his moder wombe was fulfilled with the holy gooſt / and alſo his moder· and not firſt the moder than the ſone / bot the ſone fulfilled / fillede the moder thoruȝ his deſert in alſo moche as in hym was more fully the grace of the holy gooſt: and firſte he felte and reſceyued grace· for as ſche felte the comynge and preſence of oure lady / ſo he felte the comynge of oure lord· and therfore he withynneforth ioyed / and ſche ſpake and prophecied with oute forth. Byholde now and take hede what and how moche vertu is in the wordes of oure lady / in that at one pronounſynge of hem is ȝeuen the holy gooſt· for ſche was ſo fully replenyſſhed with hym that thoruȝ her merites and deſertes the ſame holy goſt alſo filled othere. Thanne to the wordes of Eliȝabeth / Marie anſwerde and ſeide: My ſoule magnifieth our lord / and my ſpirit is gladed and reioyſed in god my ſaueour / etc. And ſo forth ſeieng and fulfillynge that Canticle of goſtly ioyenge and louynge / that is Magnificat as it is conteyned in the goſpel. And whan ſche had done they wenten to ſitte to gidere· and oure ladye of hir ſouereyn mekenes ſette hir downe in the lower place at Eliȝabeth feete. But ſche anone riſyng vp ſuffred not / but toke hir vppe: and ſo they ſeten doun to gidre. And than aſked oure lady of Eliȝabeth the manere of hir conceyuynge· and ſche aȝeyn the manere of hir conceyuynge: and ſo they tolden either to othir gladdely the grete goodneſſe of oure lord and loueden and worſchippeden god of either concepcioun. And ſo in thonkynge god and goſtly merthe they contynueden dayes and nyȝtes. For oure ladye dwelled there the terme or tyme of thre monthes /Page  39 ſeruynge Eliȝabeth in all that ſche myȝte / mekely / reuerently and deuoutly / as a ſeruaunt / forȝetynge that ſche was goddis modir and quene of al the worlde. A lord god / what houſe was that / or what chambre / and what bedde in the whiche dwelleden to gidre and reſteden ſo worthi moderes with ſo noble ſones / that is to ſaie Marie and Eliȝabeth / Jeſu and John! And alſo with hem dwellynge tho worſchipful olde men / ȝacharie and Joſeph. This was a bliſſed companye of men and wymmen and of children.

¶ In this forſeide proceſſe of the viſitacioun of oure lady we haue enſaumple that it is leueful and ofte ſpedefulle deuoute men and wymmen to viſite othere for edificacioun and gooſtly recreacioun / and nameliche the ȝonger to elder· ſo that it be done in dewe tyme and with othere leful menes. And alſo that the ȝiftes of grace mowen be notified to othere for edificacioun in tyme· ſo that it be not done for veyne ioye / bot only to goddes worſchippe. Als ȝif we take good entente to the wordes of marye and Eliȝabeth / alle they weren in lowynge of hem ſelf / and to worſchippynge of god / and magnifienge hym in alle his werkes / and tellynge his grete mercye ſchewed to mankynde to ſtire man to the loue and the worſchippe of god.

¶ Of the Natiuite of ſeynt John the Baptiſte. Forthermore whan the tyme of Eliȝabeth was comen / ſche was liȝtened and bare hir child· the whiche in tokene of his grete holyneſſe / oure lady firſt lift hym vp fro the grounde and after beſily dyȝt and treted as it longeth to hym: and the childe / as vnderſtondynge what ſche was / ſette his eiȝen ſadly vppon hir. And whan ſche wolde take hym to his moder / he torned his heued and his face to hir / als hauynge in hir al onely his likynge· and ſche gladly pleide with hym and louely clipped and kiſſed him. And here mowePage  40 we ſee the grete worthynes of this child· for there was neuere none othere byforn that hadde ſo worthy a berere. After in the viij day / as the lawe wolde / the child was circumcided / and nempned John by myracle of god / as the goſpel telleth: and the mowthe and the tunge of the fader / ȝacharie / byfore cloſed for vntrowynge / was than opened· and ſo he prophecied ſeienge: Bleſſid be oure lord god of Iſrael / for he hath viſited thoruȝ grace / and made redempcioun of his puple. And ſo forth as it is conteyned in the goſpel. And ſo in that hous thiſe two noble and worthy Canticles / that is to ſayen Magnificat and benedictus / weren firſt ſpoken and made. And oure lady ſtondynge that tyme with ynne ſom curtyne / for ſche wolde not be ſeien of hem that weren comen to the circumciſioun of that child John / lyſtened beſily and herde ententifly that Canticle / Benedictus· in the whiche was made mynde of hir bleſſed ſone Jeſu: and alle ſche kepte in hire herte / as ſche that was mooſt wiſe and ful of grace. And at the laſte whan al this was done / ſche toke hir leue at Eliȝabeth and ȝacharye / and bleſſid the child John: and ſo wente home aȝeyn to hir owne hous in Naȝareth.

¶ Now here bythenke we and haue in mynde the grete pouert of hir in this goynge aȝeyn to hir owne hous: for there ſche ſchal neyther fynde brede ne wyne ne othere neceſſaries / and therewith ſche hadde neither poſſeſſiounis ne money. And whan ſche hadde alle tho thre monthes dwelled with hem that were plenteuous and hauinge· now ſche torneth aȝen into her owne pouert and bare hous / where ſche byhoueth to gete her lyflode with hir owne hondes and bodily trauaille. And herof moche ouȝte we to haue compaſſioun / and be ſtired to the loue of vertuouſe pouerte by enſaumple of hir: bleſſid mote ſche euere be. Amen.

¶Cam.vm.
¶ Hou Joſeph thouȝte to leue priuely oure lady ſeint Marye.

What tyme that oure lady and Joſeph hir ſpouſe dwelleden to gidre / and hir bleſſid ſone Jeſu day by day encreſſed bodily in his modir wombe. At the laſte Joſeph / ſeynge hir grete with childe / and byholdynge hir not ones bot ofte ſithes / was wonder ſory and greetly deſtourbled / made hir heuy chere and turned away his eiȝen ofte ſithe fro hir / and as in a perplexite thouȝte what he myȝte beſt doo. For on the tone ſide he ſawh hir lyf ſo holy and no tokene of ſynne in hir / neither in contenaunce / neither in word in ſpeche / nor in dede that he dorſte not openly accuſe hir of avoutrie· and on that other ſide he knewe nouȝt how that ſche myȝte conceyue bot by man. Wherfore he thouȝt that he wolde priuely leue hir. Sothely it may be ſeide of hym that is writen in the goſpel to his preiſynge / that is to ſeie / that he was a riȝtwys man / that ſchewede wele this dede of grete vertue. For ſithen comounly avoutrie of the womman is to the man occaſioun of moſte ſchame / moſt ſorwe / and as a manere of wodenes· neuertheles he vertuouſly tempered hym ſelf and wolde nouȝt accuſen hir / nor venge hym ſelf· but paciently ſuffring that ſemynge wrong / and ouercomyng hym ſelf with pitee / thouȝt that he wolde priuely leue hir.

¶ This is an open enſaumple of reproof to jelouſe men that ben ſo ſuſpecious / that at the leſte contenaunce or louely ſpeche of her wifes with othere men han hem ſuſpecte of avoutrie. Alſo ȝif we take here good entent we mowen ſee bothe in Joſeph and alſo in marye a fructuoſe doctrine how that we ſchulde paciently ſuffre tribulacion· and how that god ſuffreth his choſen ſoules to be diſeſed and tempted ſor here beſte and to her mede. For wite we wele that alſoPage  42 oure lady was not here with oute grete diſeſe and tribulacioun what tyme that ſche ſawh hir houſbonde ſo diſtourbled· and neuertheles ſche ſuffred and hilde hir pes mekely and kepte priue that grete ȝifte of god / and cheſe rathere to be holde as wickid / vicious / and vnworthy / than ſche wolde make open that grete ſacrament of god and to ſpeke and telle thinges that myȝte ſeme to hir preiſynge / boſte or iactaunce.

¶ But her with ſche prayed god that he wolde ſende remedye in this caas / and that he wolde / as it were his wille / putte away fro hir and fro hire houſbonde this tribulacioun and this diſeſe. And ſo oure lord / that ſuffreth and ordeyneth alle thinges for the beſte / to conforte of bothe ſent his aungel· the whiche appered to Joſeph in his ſlepe / and ſeide that he ſchulde not drede to take to hym marye his ſpouſe / bot triſtily and gladly dwelle with hir: for that that ſche had conceyued was not by man / but by the worchynge of the holy gooſt. And ſo after tribulacioun cam grete ioye and counfort. In the ſame manere it ſchulde falle with vs ȝif we kouthe wele kepe pacience in tyme of aduerſite. For oure lord god after tempeſt ſente ſofte and mery wedir· and it is no dowte that he ſuffreth none temptacioun falle to his choſen bot for her profiȝte. Than after this reuelacioun Joſeph aſked oure lady of this wonderful conceyuynge· and ſche gladly tolde hym the ordre and the manere therof. And ſo Joſeph dwelled and ſtood ioyfully with his bleſſed ſpouſe / marye· and with chaſte and trewe loue ſo feruently loued hir that it may not be tolde· and beſily in alle thinges toke hede to hir: and oure lady aȝeynward triſtily dwelled with him: and ſo in hir bothe pouerte they lyueden to gidre with grete goſtly merthe. Here with alſo oure lord Jeſu / as recluſe and ſtoken in his moderes wombe the ſpace ofPage  43 nine monthes in manere of othere children / paciently and benignely ſuffreth and abideth the dewe tyme of his birthe.

¶ Lord god / how moche ouȝte we to haue compaſſioun that he wolde for oure ſake enclyne vnto ſo profounde mekenes! Miche ouȝte we to deſire and loue that vertue of mekenes· and ȝif we wolde haue beſily in mynde how that hiȝe lord of ſo grete maieſte ſo myche lowed hym ſelfe / ſchulde we neuere be lifted vp to veyne pryde and reputacioun of oure ſelf. For of this one benefice of ſo longe reclucioun for our ſake / we mowe neuere worthely doo ſatisfaccioun or recompenſacioun to hym· but neuertheles knowe we this trewely in herte / and with al oure affeccioun deuoutely thonke we hym / ſpecially we that bene religious / that he wolde take vs fro othere and graciouſly departe vs fro the world / ſo that in this / thouȝ it litel be / ſomwhat we ȝelde hym· that is to ſaie that we ſtonde perſeuerantly recluſe in his ſeruice. For ſothely this is al only his benefice of grace and not oure deſerte / and that a grete benefice and worſchipful / in that that we ben not recluſe to peyne / but to grete ſikerneſſe· for we ben ſette as in a hiȝe and ſtronge toure of religioun / vnto the whiche the venemous arowes of this wicked world and diſtourblynge tempeſtes of that bitter ſee mowe not atteyne or neyhe / bot in oure owne defauȝte and foly. But for alſo moche as bodely encloſynge is litel worth or nouȝt with oute goſtly encloſynge in ſoule· therſore thou that art encloſed bodily in celle or cloyſtre / ȝif thou wolte be with Jeſu vertuouſly encloſed in ſoule / firſte thou moſte with hym anentyſche thy ſelf in thyn owne reputacioun and bycome a child thorgh perfiȝt mekenes. Alſo thou moſte kepe and loue ſcilence / not ſpekynge but in tyme of nede or edificacioun. And furthermore or thou be born / that is to ſay or thou ſchewe thy ſelf outeward by word or by opinioun ofPage  44 perfeccioun / thou moſte abyde the tyme of nyne monthes: that is while thou art noȝt perfiȝtly grounded in vertues and in knowynge of goddes lawe· for the noumbre of the x. comaundementis tokeneth the perfeccioun of the lawe / and therfore that that is laſſe tokeneth inperfeccioun. Wherfore as the childe that is born byfore his kynde tyme is vnable to thryue· ſo who ſo wil ſchewe hym outwarde by worde or by dede holy and perfite or the tyme that he be perfiȝtly growen and ſchapen in vertues withynneforth / he is vnable to ſtonde as a man in tyme of temptacioun by goſtly ſtrengthe and to profiȝte of othere and of hym ſelf. Wherfore cloſynge and with drawynge to oure power all oure mynde fro vanyte and luſtes of the world / beſye we vs to conferme vs in clennes of herte to oure lord Jeſu / that for oure ſake wolde be ſo cloſed in the wombe of his bliſſed moder marie. Alſo to ſtire vs to compaſſioun / and to ſuffre with Jeſu penaunce and diſeſe in this worlde / we ſchulle conſidere and haue in mynde that he was in contynuel affliccioun fro the firſte tyme of his concepcioun in to the laſte tyme of his deth / ſpecially and principally for that he knewe his fader of heuene / whom he loued ſouereynly / ſo vnworſchipped of ſynful men / and forſaken for mawmetrye and myſbileue· and of that grete compaſſioun that he hadde to the ſoules made to his ymage / ſo wrecchedly and for the moſte parte dampned / this was to hym more peyne thanne his bodily paſſioun and dethe. For why to putte away myſbileue and deſtroye this dampnacioun he ſuffred that deth and that paſſioun. And ſo ſchulde euery trewe louer of Jeſu haue compaſſioun and be ynwardly ſorye / not only for the myſbyleue of Jewes and Saraȝynes and her dampnacioun / bot alſo / and myche more / for the wycked lyuynge of vntrewe criſten men· in ſo muche that it ſchulde be to hym more paſſioun andPage  45 gooſtly diſeſe whan he knewe or ſeie a ſoule periſſhe thoruȝ dedly ſynne / than the loſſe of any worldely katel / or than his owne bodily deth. For that wole perfiȝte charite. And ſo in this forſeide proceſſe we haue profitable doctryne and good enſaumple: firſt / in oure bleſſid lord Jeſu of penaunce ſuffrynge / of perfiȝte charite / and trewe compaſſioun· alſo in his moder marie of profounde mekenes and pacience in tribulacioun· and in hir houſbonde Joſeph of vertuous riȝtwiſneſſe aȝenſt falſe ſuſpecioun.

¶ And ȝif we wole wite why and wherto oure lady was wedde to Joſeph / ſithe he hadde noȝt to doo with hir bodily / but ſche was euere clene mayden: herto anſwerynge ben thre ſkilles: Firſte / for ſche ſchulde haue conforte and ſolace of man to hir bodily ſeruice and witteneſſe of hir clene chaſtite: the ſeconde is / that the merueylous birthe of goddes ſone ſchulde be heled and pryvey fro the deuel: and the thridde / that ſche ſchulde not be defamed of avoutrie / and ſo / as worthy the deth after the lawe / be ſtoned of the Jewes. And thus endeth the firſte partie of this booke that ſtant in contemplacioun for the Monday and for the tyme of Aduent vnto the Natiuite of oure lord Jeſu / whos name with his moder marye be euere bleſſid with outen ende. Amen.

¶Capm.vjm.
¶ Of the Natiuite of oure lorde Jeſu Criſte.

What tyme that nyne monthes fro the concepcioun of bliſſed Jeſu drowen to ende Ceſar Auguſte / the Emperour of Rome / ſente oute a maundement / or an heſte / that all the world ſugette to hym ſchulde be deſcryued· ſo that he myȝte knowe the noumbre of regiouns / of citees / and of the heuedes longynge to hem that weren ſubdyte to the Emperour of Rome· and herfore he ordyned andPage  46 bad that alle men where ſo euere they dwelleden ſchulde goo to the citee of hir firſte birthe and propre lynage. Wherfore Joſeph / that was of the lynage of dauid / whos citee was bethleem / toke with hym his ſpouſe / bliſſed marie / that was that tyme greet with childe / and wente fro Naȝareth vnto the citee Bethleem / there to be noumbred among othere as ſugett to the Emperour. And ſo ledyng with hem an oxe and an aſſe / they wenten al that longe wey to gidere / as pore folk / hauynge no more worldely good bot tho tweyne beſtes. And what tyme they comen to Bethleem / for the grete multitude that was there in the ſame tyme for the ſelue cauſe / they myȝte gete none herborwe in none houſe but in a comoun place / bytwixe tweyne houſes / that was heled aboue men for to ſtonde ther fore the reyn and was i-cleped a dyuerſorie / they were neded to reſte ynne and abide all that tyme. In the whiche place Joſeph / that was a carpunter / made hem a cloſere and a cracche for her beſtes.

¶ Now take here good hede and haue inwardly compaſſioun of that bleſſed lady and mayden / marye· how ſche ſo ȝong and of ſo tendre age / that is to ſaye of xv ȝere / and grete with childe as nyh the birthe / trauailleth that longe wey of ſixty myle and ten or more in ſo grete pouerte· and ȝit whan ſche cam to the citee forſeide there ſche ſchulde reſte / and with her ſpouſe aſked herborgh in dyuers places / ſchamefaſtly as amonge vnkouthe folk / alle they werned hem and lete hem goo· and ſo for nede at the laſte they toke as for herborgh that comoun place aforſeide.

¶ But now furthermore to ſpeke of the bliſſed birthe of Jeſu· and of that clene and holy deliueraunce of his dere moder marye / as it is writen in party by reuelacioun of oure lady made here of to a deuowte man. Whan tymePage  47 of that bliſſed byrthe was come / that is to ſay the ſonday at mydnyȝt / goddis ſone of heuene as he was conceyued in his moder wombe by the holy gooſt with outen ſeede of man / ſo goynge out of that wombe with outen trauaille or ſorwe / ſodeynely was vppon hey at his moder feete. And anon ſche / deuoutly enclynande / with ſouereyne ioye toke hym in hir armes and ſwetely clippyng and keſſynge leyde hym in hir barme / and with a fulle pap / as ſche was tauȝt of the holy gooſt / wiſſhe hym al aboute with hir ſwete mylk· and ſo wrapped hym in the keuerchiefes of hir heued and leide hym in the cracche. And anone the Oxe and the Aſſe / knelynge doun / leyden her mowthes on the cracche / brethynge at hir neſes vppon the child / as they knewen by reſoun that in that colde tyme the childe ſo ſymply hiled had nede to be hatte in that manere. And than his moder knelynge doun worſchipped and loued god / inwardely thonkynge and ſeienge in this manere: Lord god / holy fader of heuene / I thonke the with al my myȝt that haſte ȝeuen me thy dere ſone· and I honoure the al myȝty god / goddes ſone and myn. Joſeph / alſo honourynge and worſchippynge the childe god and man / toke the ſadel of the Aſſe and made therof a kuſſhyne oure lady to ſitte on and a ſuppoayle to lene to.

¶ And ſo ſat the lady of all the worlde in that ſymple array beſide the cracche / hauynge her mylde mode and her louely eiȝen / with her inward affeccioun / vppon her ſwete derworthe child. But in this pore and ſymple worldly araye / what goſtly riches and ynward confort and ioye ſche hadde may no tunge telle. Wherfore ȝif we wole fele the trewe ioye and conforte of Jeſu / we moſte with hym and with his moder loue pouerte / mekenes / and bodily peneaunce / as he ȝaf vs enſample of alle thiſe here in his birthe and firſt comynge in to this worlde. For ofPage  48 the firſte / that is pouerte / ſeynt Bernarde in a ſermoun of the Natiuite of oure lord / tellynge how he was born to comforte of mankynde / ſeith in this manere: Goddes ſone comforteth his peple. Wolt thou knowe his peple? That is of whom ſpeketh Dauid in the pſawter and ſeith: Lorde / to the is bylafte the pore puple. And he hym ſelf ſeith in the goſpel: Woo to ȝow riche men that hauen ȝoure comforte here. For how ſchulde he comfort hem that hauen here her owne comforte? Wherfore criſtes innocens and childhode conforteth not iangeleres and grete ſpekeres· criſtes wepynges and teris conforteth noȝt diſſolute lawheres· his ſymple clothinge conforteth not hem that gone in proude clothynge· and his ſtable and cracche conforteth noȝt hem that louen firſt ſeetes and worldes worſchippes. And alſo the aungels in criſtes Natiuite apperynge to the wakynge ſcheephirdes conforten none othere but the pouere trauailloures· and to hem tellen they the ioye of newe liȝt / and noȝt to the riche men that hauen her conforte here.

¶ Alſo as to the ſecounde: we mowen ſee at this birthe / bothe in criſt and in his moder / perfiȝt mekenes· for they were not ſqueymous of the ſtable / nor of the beſtes / nor of hey and ſuche othere abiecte ſimpilnes. But this vertu of mekenes bothe oure lord and oure lady kepten perfiȝtly in alle her dedes / and commenden it ſoueraynly to vs· wherfore be we aboute with al oure myȝt to gete this vertue / knowynge that with outen it is none ſaluacioun: for there is no werk or dede of vs that may pleſe god with pride.

¶ Alſo as to the thridde: we mowen ſee in hem bothe / and nameliche in the child Jeſu / not a litel bodily penaunce· of the whiche ſeynt Bernard ſeith thus: Goddes ſone whan he wolde be born / that hadde in his owne fre wille to cheſe what tyme he wolde take therto / he ches that tyme thatPage  49 was mooſt noyous and harde / as the colde wynter / nameliche to a ȝong childe and a pore wommanes ſone / that ſkarſly hadde clothes to wrappe hym inne / and a cracche as for a cradel to laye hym inne· and ȝit thowh there was ſo moche nede / I fynde no mynde of furres or pilches. And ſithen criſt that is not begiled chas that is moſt hard to the fleſche / ſothely that is beſt / moſt profitable / and rather to be choſen· and who ſo techeth or biddeth othere he is as a falſe deceyuere to be fledde and forſaken. Al this ſeith ſeynt Bernard. And thus myche of theſe vertues at this tyme.

¶ Goo we nowe furthermore to ſpeke of the forſeide bleſſid natiuite of criſt. What tyme that oure lord was ſo borne / the grete companye of aungeles that there weren honourynge / louynge / and worſchippynge her lord god / wenten anon to the ſchypherdes that weren there beſide / aboute a myle fro Bethleem / tellynge hem that birthe of her ſaueour and alſo the place therof by one of hem apperynge with grete liȝt / peraunter gabriel that was ſpecial meſſanger of this werk. And therwith al that multitude of aungels token vp that newe joyful ſong / ſeyenge / as the goſpel telleth in thiſe wordes: Joye with outen ende be aboue in althere hiȝeſt heuen to god· and in erthe pees to all men that ben of good wille. And ſo with that ioyful ſong and moche merthe they wente vp in to heuene / tellynge her othere felawes theſe newe ioyeful tydynges of her lordes bliſſed birthe. Wherof al the court of heuene / ioyeful and gladde more than tonge may telle or herte thenke / makynge a ſolempne feſte / and devoutly thonkynge the fader all myȝty god / as we mowen deuoutly thynke and ymagyne / comen alle after by ordre after ordre to ſee that louely face of goddes ſone her lorde / with grete reuerence worſchippyng hym and his bliſſedPage  50 moder. Herto accordynge ſpeketh the apoſtle ſeynt poule in his piſtle / ad hebreos primo / ſeyenge: That whan the fader of heuene brouȝte his firſt goten ſone in to this worlde / he bad that all the aungels of god ſchulde worſchipp him. Alſo the hyrde men / after the aungels weren paſſed fro hem / comen and worſchippeden the child / tellynge openly what they herden of the aungels· and his dere moder / as ſche that was ſouereynly wys and witty / toke good hede of al that was done and kepte priuely in her herte alle the wordes that weren ſpoken of hir bleſſed ſone. Thus myche and in this manere we mowen haue in contemplacioun touchynge the proces of the bliſſed natiuite of oure lord Jeſu. And furthermore touchynge the ſolempnite and the worthyneſſe of this feſte and this hiȝe day / we ſchullen haue in mynde that this day is borne the kyng of blis and the ſone of almyȝty god / lorde of alle lordes / and makere and gouernour of alle the world / whos name is cleped ſpecially prince of pees· for by hym was made that grete and endeles pees that is tolde bifore in the Incarnacioun: wherfore this day the aungeles ſongen that ioyful ſonge Gloria in excelſis &c.; / as it is i-ſeide bifore. This day / as holy chirche ſyngeth in the office of the maſſe / after the prophecie of yſaie / a child is borne to vs that is like to vs in his manhede· and a ſone is ȝeuen to vs that is euene to the fader of heuene in his godhede. Alſo this day the ſonne of riȝtwiſneſſe / that was firſt vnder cloude / ſprang openly his bemes of mercy and the liȝt of his grace in alle the world. And ſo this day was ſeien that bleſſed newe ſiȝt that neuere ere was ſeien in erthe / that is to ſaye god almyȝty in mannis liknes. This daye alſo bifelle the tweye grete wondres that paſſen al kynde and al mannis wit· the whiche mowen all only be conceyued thoruȝ trewe byleue / that is to ſeie that god isPage  51 borne· and a mayde with oute ſorwe or blemyſchynge of hir maydenhede hath born a child / wherfore this day had ſche that ſecounde ſouereyn ioye in felynge done in dede that ſche ȝaf feithe to / ſpoken bifore and byhiȝt by the aungel at her conceyvynge. And ſo to all mankynde this is a daye of grete ioye and a grete feſte / bothe of god all myȝty / and of his bliſſed moder marie / as it was ſeide bifore in the feſte of Incarnacioun: for alle the ſkilles that there were ſeide bygan there and here more pleynly fulfild· ioyne that to this and than it wil ſchewe pleynly. In tokene alſo and witneſſynge of this wonderful birthe aȝenſt kynde / at Rome that day out of a tauerne ſpronge a welle of oyle· and in the ſame citee an ymage of gold with a temple that was cleped the euerlaſtynge temple of pees / for alſo moche as it was prophecied that it ſchulde neuere falle adoun til a mayden bare a ſone / this day fel doun both to gidre anone as criſt was born. In the whiche place is now made a chirche in the worſchippe of oure lady ſeynte marie / whos name with hir bliſſed ſone oure lord Jeſu be now and euere with outen ende. Amen.

¶Cam.vijm.
¶ Of the circumſicion of oure lorde Jeſu.

In the viij day that the child was born he was circumſided after the biddynge of the lawe. And ſo in this day tweyne grete thynges were done that we owen to haue deuoutly in mynde: the firſte is that the bleſſid name Jeſu / that was euere with oute bygynnynge ȝeuen to hym of the fader of heuene / and also of the aungel cleped and tolde or he were conceyued / this day was openly declared and nempned· and he therwith ſpecially cleped Jeſu / that is alſo moche to ſay as ſaueoure. And this name reſonably is aboue alle names· for as the apoſtle Petre ſeith / there is none othere name vnder heuene in the whiche we owen toPage  52 be ſaued. Of the whiche name and the grete worthyneſſe and vertue therof ſeynt Bernard ſpeketh deuoutly by proceſſe that ſchal be ſeide after. The ſecounde thing that was done this day worthy to be had in mynde is that this day oure lord Jeſu bygan to ſcheden his precious blood for oure ſake. He bygan be tyme to ſuffre for vs / and he that neuere did ſynne bygan this day to bere peyne in his ſwete tender body for oure ſynne. Myche ouȝte we to haue compaſſioun and wepe with hym / for he wepte this day ful ſore. And ſo in theſe grete feſtes and ſolempnites we ſchulde make moche merthe and be ioyful for oure hele· and alſo haue ynward compaſſioun and ſorwe for the peynes and angwiſche that he ſuffred for vs. For as it is ſeide bifore / this day he ſched his blood whan that / after the rit of the lawe / his tender fleſch was kutte with a ſcharpe ſtonen knyf· and ſo that ȝong child Jeſu kyndeliche wepte for the ſorwe that he felte there thoruȝ in his fleſche: for withouten dowte he hadde verray fleſche and kyndely ſufferable as haue othere children. Schulde we than not haue compaſſioun of hym? Ȝis ſothely· and alſo of his dere moder· for wel mowe we wite that whan ſche ſeih hir louely ſone wepe ſche myȝte not withholde wepynge. And than mowe we ymagyne and thynke how that litel babe / in his moder barme / ſeynge hir wepe / putte his litel honde to hir face as he wolde that ſche ſchulde not wepe· and ſche aȝeynward / ynwardely ſtired and hauinge compaſſioun of the ſorwe and the wepynge of hir dere ſone / with kiſſynge and ſpekynge conforted hym as ſche myȝte. For ſche vnderſtood wel by the Inſpiracioun of the holy goſt / that was in hir / the wille of hir ſone / thouh he ſpeke not to hir· and therfore ſche ſeide: Dere ſone / ȝif thou wilt that I ceſe of wepynge / ceſe thou alſo of thy wepynge· for I may not bot I wepe / whatPage  53 tyme that I ſee the wepe. And ſo thoruȝ the compaſſioun of the moder the childe ceſed of ſobbynge and wepynge. And than his moder / wypynge his face and kyſſynge hym and puttynge the pappe in his mouth / comforted hym in alle the maneres that ſche myȝte· and ſo ſche dede as ofte as he weped. For as we mowen ſuppoſe he weped ofte ſithes / as othere children done / to ſchewe the wrecchedneſſe of mankynde that he verrayly took· and alſo to hyde hym fro the deuele / that he ſchulde not knowe hym as for god. And thus moche ſuffiſeth ſeide at this tyme of the circumſicioun of the olde lawe· and we haue in that ſtede baptiſme ordeyned by criſt / that is the ſacrament of more grace and laſſe peyne. Bot for that bodily circumſicioun we ſchulle haue goſtly circumſicioun / that is kuttynge away fro vs alle ſuperflue thinges that diſpoſen to ſynne / and holdynge with vs as in affectioun oneliche that is nedfulle to vertuous lyuynge. For he that is truly pore is vertuouſly circumſidid· the whiche circumſicioun the apoſtle techeth in theſe wordes whan he ſeith: That we hauynge mete and drinke and clothing / we ſchulde hold vs paid. This alſo goſtly circumſicioun nedeth to be in alle oure bodily wittes / as in ſeynge / herynge / touchinge / and othere· that is to ſeie / that we in alle theſe eſchewe ſuperfluyte and kepe ſkarſte / and namely in ſpekynge· for moche ſpeche with oute frute is a grete vice and diſpleſynge to god and man / and token of an vnſtable and diſſolute herte: as aȝeynward / ſilence is a grete vertue / and for greet cauſe of goodneſſe ordeyned in religioun· of the whiche vertue dyuers clerkes ſpeken / that we ſchulle paſſe ouer at this tyme: and thus endeth this chapitre.

¶Cam.viijm.
¶ Of the Epiphanye / that is the open ſchewynge of oure lord Jeſu.

Firſte touchinge this ſolempne day and worthy feſte / we ſchulde vnderſtonde that there is none feſte that hath ſo moche dyuers ſeruiſe in holy chirche longyng therto as this feſte hath· not for it is more worthy than othere / but for many grete thinges byfelle and were done in this day ſpecially touchynge the ſtate of holy chirche. As firſt vnderſtondynge that holy chirche here in erthe ſtante in tweie manere of peple· that one is of hem that comen of the Jewes that hadden Moyſes lawe and weren circumſided· that othere is of the remenaunte that weren not circumſided and were i-cleped gentiles. This day / that is to ſay the xiij day fro the Natiuite / acountyng that ſelf day / the bleſſid child Jeſu ſchewed hym as god and man ſpecially to the kynges that weren of the gentiles / and in her perſone holy chirche nowe criſtened / that is principally gedered of the multitude of gentiles / was this day reſceyued and accepted of god to trewe byleue. For the day of his Natiuitie he appered and ſchewed hym ſpecially to the Jewes in the perſone of the hirde men· the whiche Jewes for the more parte reſceyueth not goddes worde and byleue. But this day he ſchewed hym to the gentiles / of whom we comen that ben nowe his choſen chirche. Wherfore this feſte is ſpecially and propurly the feſte of holy chirche of trewe criſten men.

¶ The ſecounde thing that was done this day touchinge holy chirche is that ſche was this day goſtly wedded to criſte / and trewely knytte to hym by the bapteme that he toke this day / xxix ȝere aftir complete: for in the baptiſme ben ſoules wedded to criſt / and the congregacioun of criſten ſoules is cleped holy chirche that by baptiſme isPage  55 waſchen and made clene of the filthe of ſynne and clothed newe in vertues.

¶ The thridde thing is that / that ſame day a twelfmonthe / that is to ſaie a ȝere after the baptiſme of criſt / he wrouȝt the firſte miracle at the bridale / turnynge water into wyn· by the whiche is vnderſtonden alſo the gooſtly bridale of holy chirche.

¶ The ferthe thing that byfel in that day is / as Bede ſeith / that in that ſame day a ȝere after oure lord Jeſu wrouȝt that grete myracle fedynge the grete multitude of puple with a fewe loues and a fewe fiſches. But the firſte thre ben reherſed this day in holy chirche and not this ferthe.

¶ Loo how worſchipful this day is! the whiche oure lord god ches ſpecially to worche thereynne ſo many grete and wonderful thinges. Wherfore holy chirche / conſiderynge ſo many grete benefices done to hir this day of hir goſtly ſpouſe Jeſu criſte / by waye of dewe kyndenes maketh grete merthe and ſolempnite in this day. But for alſo moche as principally and moſt ſpecially the ſolempnite of this day ſtant in the mynde of the firſte / that is the worſchippynge of the kynges and her offrynges· therfore ſpeke we furthermore of the contemplacioun her of / leuing the remenaunt at this tyme. And ſo ymagyne we and ſette we oure mynde and oure thouȝt as we were preſent in the place there this was done at Bethleem / byholdynge how theſe thre kinges comen with grete multitude and a worſchipful companye of lordes and othere ſeruauntes· and ſo by token of the ſterre firſt ledynge and after reſtynge vppon that place that the child Jeſu was ynne / there they liȝten doun of the dromondes / that they riden vppon / byfore that ſymple hous and manere of ſtable / in the whiche oure lord Jeſu was borne. And than oure lady / herynge gretePage  56 noyſe and ſterynge of peple / anone toke hir ſwete child in to hir barme. And they comynge in to that hous / alſo ſone as they ſeien the child they kneled adoun and reuerently and deuoutly honoured hym as kyng and worſchipped hym as god. Lord god / how grete and how ſad was her feith and byleue that ſuche a litell childe ſo ſympilly clothed / founden with ſo pore a moder / in ſo abiecte a place / with oute companye / with oute meyny and with oute all worldely array / ſchulde be verray god and kyng and lord of al the world· and natheles they bileued ſothfaſtly bothe two. This was a grete goodnes of oure lord / ordeynynge ſuche forlederes and ſuche bygynneres of oure bileue· and ſo hit byhoued to be. Furthermore touchynge the proces· we mowe thynke how the kynges / after the firſte honourynge of the childe / ſpeken with his moder / reuerently aſkynge of the condiciouns of hym / in what manere he was conceyued and born / and ſo of othere that thei deſireden to knowe. And oure lady myldely anſwerynge / tolde hem of al as it nedeth: and they ȝeuen ful credence and bileue to al that ſche ſeide. And for alſo moche as they weren clerkes and men of grete wiſdome / therfore we mowe ſuppoſe that they kouthen the langage of hebrewe / and ſpeken in that tonge that was the moder tonge of oure lady and alle Jewes.

¶ Now take we here good entent to the manere of ſpekyng in bothe parties: firſt / how reuerently and how curteiſly thei ſpeken and aſken her queſtiouns· and on that other ſide hou oure lady / with a manere of honeſte ſchamefaſtneſſe holding downe her eiȝen toward the erthe / ſpeketh and anſwereth / ſaddely and ſchortly / to her aſkynges· for ſche hath none likynge to ſpeke moche / or elles to be ſeen: neuertheles oure lord ȝaf hir ſtrengthe and ſpecial comfort to ſpeke more homely to hem by cauſePage  57 that they repreſenten holy chirche that was than to come of the gentiles / as it is ſeide bifore.

¶ Byholde alſo the childe Jeſu / how he ſpeketh not / but ſtant with a manere of ſad ſemblant and glad chere / and als he vnderſtood hem / louely lokynge vppon hem· and thei haue grete likynge in the ſiȝt of hym / not only gooſtly in ſoule of his godhede as illumyned and tauȝt of hym / but alſo in his bodily ſiȝt with oute forth: for as Dauid witneſſith: He was faire and louely in body byfore alle mennis ſones.

¶ And ſo whan they weren gretly comforted by hym / thei maden her offrynge to hym in this manere / as we mowen ſuppoſe. They openeden her cofres with her treſoure and ſpredynge a tapite / or a cloth / byfore the childes feete oure lorde Jeſu / they leiden there vppon and offreden echone of hem golde / encenſe / and myrre / and that in grete quantite / nameliche of the gold: for elles as for a litel offrynge it hadde nouȝt neded hem forto haue opened hir treſoure cofres / as the goſpel ſeith / but here awmeneres / or her treſoreres / myȝt liȝtly haue had it in hande and taken it hem bot for the ȝiftes and the quantitees weren grete by reſoun / as it is ſeide. And whan thei hadden thus offred and leide her ȝiftes bifore hym / then reuerently and deuoutly fallynge doune they kiſſeden his feete· and than peraunter the child / ful of wiſdom / forto comforte hem more and ſtrengthe hem in his loue ȝaue hem his hand to kiſſe / and after bleſſed hem therwith. And ſo they reuerently enclynynge and alſo takynge her leue at his moder and Joſeph / with grete ioye and gooſtly merthe / as the goſpel ſeith / turneden aȝen in to hir owne cuntre by a nother way. What that thiſe thre ȝiftes offred of thiſe kynges bytoken goſtly / and many other thinges that the goſpel more ouer telleth / as it is expowned byPage  58 holy doctoures / is ſufficiantly and fully writen in manye othere places· wherfore we paſſen ouer al that here.

¶ But what hope we was done with that golde of ſo grete priſe? Whether oure lady reſerued it and putte it in treſorie/ or elles boute therewith londes and rentes? Nay/ nay/ god forbede! for ſche that was a perfite louer of pouerte toke none hede of ſuche worldely goodes. But what? Sche / louinge pouert / and vnderſtondynge alſo hir bleſſid ſones wille / not onliche thoruȝ his Inſpiracioun techynge hir in ſoule with ynne forth / bot alſo by ſigne ſchewynge his wille with outen forth that he loued not ſuche riches / perauntre turnynge away ofte ſithes his face fro that golde or ſpittynge there vppon / with ynne a fewe dayes and ſchorte tyme ſche ȝaf it al to pore men· for the kepynge therof that litel tyme was to hir a gret burthen and heuy charge. And that ſemeth wele· for ſche made hem ſo bare of money that whan ſche ſchulde go to the temple forto be purified / ſche had noȝt wherwith to bigge a lombe forto offre for hir ſone / but only bouȝte turtles / or dowfes / of litel prys / that was the offrynge of poore folk after the lawe. And ſo we mowe reſonably bileue that the offrynge of the kynges was grete and riche / and that oure lady / louynge pouert and ful of charite / ȝaf it in haſte to pore men / as it is ſeide· ſo that here is ſchewed a grete precony and worthy enſaumple of pouert. Alſo ȝif we take here goode hede we mowe ſene open enſaumple of perfite mekenes· for there beth manye that holden hemſelf lowe and abiecte in her owne herte / and ben not eleuate by pride as in her owne herte ſiȝte / but neuertheles they wolde not be ſeyn ſuche in other mennis ſiȝt / nor mowen not ſuffre to be deſpised or ſcorned of other· and alſo they wolde not that her vnworthines and her defauȝtes were knowen of othere / leſt they were deſpiſedPage  59 or reproued of hem. But thus didde noȝt this day that child Jeſu / lorde of all othere· for he wolde that his lowenes and abieccioun were knowen and ſeen to his and to othere / and that not to ſymple and fewe· but to grete and manye / that is to ſay to kynges and lordes and her meyne / many and fele. And alſo that is more to wonder in ſuche a caas and tyme· in the whiche by reſoun it was moche to drede / that is to ſay leſt the comynge fro ſo fer and fyndynge hym that thei ſouȝten / kyng of Jewes / and whom they troweden alle myȝty god / liggynge in ſo ſymple array and ſo grete abieccioun / by that ſymple ſiȝt ſuppoſynge hem diſceyued and holdynge hem ſelf as fooles ſchulden gone away with oute deuocioun and bileue. But not forthy the mayſter of mekenes and louer of ſympilneſſe lafte not to fulfille the perfeccioun therof/ ȝeuynge to vs enſample that we ſchulde not go fro the grounde of trewe mekenes by colour of any ſemeliche profite or goode· but that we ſchulde lerne to wille forto apere and be ſeyn ſymple and abiecte in the ſiȝte of othere. That vertue of perfite mekenes he graunte vs thoruȝ his grace that ſo wolde meke hym for oure ſake / oure bleſſed lord Jeſu. Amen.

¶ De mora domine apud preſepe continetur in proximo capitulo excepta meditacione de miniſterio ſuo et ſollicitudine circa puerum Jeſum / de quibus poterit quis faciliter meditari.

¶Cam.ixm.
¶ Of the purificacioun of oure lady ſeint Marie.

After the kynges had performed her offerynges / and weren gone home aȝeyne in to her owne cuntrey / as it is ſeide· ȝit ſtode that worthy lady of all the world in that ſymple herborwe with hir bliſſed ſone Jeſu and her houſbonde / that holy olde man Joſeph / at the cracche paciently abidynge vntoPage  60 the fourty day ordeyned by the lawe to hir purificacioun / as ſche were an other womman of the peple defoyled thoruȝ ſynne / and as the childe Jeſu were a pure man / and not god / nedy to kepe the obſeruaunce of the lawe. But why hope we that thei diden thus? Sothely for enſaumple to vs· ſchewynge the trewe way of obedience: and for they wolde no ſinguler prerogatif thei kepten the comoun lawe as othere. But thus done not manye that lyuen in comune congregacioun· the whiche deſiren to haue ſpecial prerogatyues / and there by wole be i-ſene more worſchipful than othere and ſengler abouen othere: but this ſuffreth not trewe mekenes. Whan the fourty day was come of hir purificacioun after the lawe / than wente oure lady oute with hir ſone Jeſu and Joſeph / and toke the wey fro bethleem in to Jeruſalem / that is aboute fyue or ſixe myle / there to preſente the childe and offre hym to god.

¶ Now lete vs here goo with hem by deuoute contemplacioun· and helpe we to bere that bliſſed birthen the child Jeſu in oure ſoule by deuocioun· and take we ynwardly good entent to all that ben here ſeide or done: for thei ben ful deuoute.

¶ In this manere then they berynge and bryngynge the child Jeſu in to Jeruſalem / and the lord of the temple in to the temple of god at the entre thereof thei bouȝten tweyne turtles / or elles tweie dowue briddes / to offre for hym as the manere was for pore folke· and therfore the goſpel ſpeketh not of a lambe / that was the comoun offrynge of riche men / in token that they weren with the poreſt folke. And herwith that riȝtwys man Symeon / ladde in ſpirit by the holy gooſt / came in to the temple to ſee that he had longe tyme deſired / criſt goddes ſone / after byheſt and anſwere of the holy gooſt. And anone as he cam and had the ſiȝt of hym / knowynge hym byPage  61 the ſpirit of prophecie / he kneled doun and deuoutly honoured and worſchipped hym as he was in his moder armes borne· and the child bliſſed hym and / lokynge vppon his moder / bowed toward hym in token that he wolde goo to hym· and ſo the moder vnderſtondynge the childes wille and therof wondrynge toke hym to ſymeon· and he with grete ioye and reuerence clippynge hym in his armes roſe vp / bliſſynge god and ſeienge with glad ſpirite: Lord / I thonke the· for now thou leteſte thy ſeruaunte after thy word in pees: for why I haue ſeen with myn eiȝen thyn bliſſed ſone / oure ſaueoure. And afterward he prophecied of his paſſioun and of the ſorwe therof / that ſchulde as a ſwerd perce and wounde the moder herte. Herwith alſo that worthy wydowe Anne / the prophetiſſe / came to hem in to the temple / and / worſchippynge the child / ſche prophecied alſo of hym and ſpake of redempcioun that was to come by hym to mankynde. And the moder wonderynge of alle theſe wordes kepte hem by good entente pryuely in her herte. And than the child Jeſu ſtrecching his armes toward his moder was bytaken to hir aȝen. Afterward they ȝeden in manere of proceſſioun towarde the auter with the childe· the whiche proceſſioun is repreſented this day in alle holy chirche with liȝt born to goddis worſchippe. And than they wente in this manere: firſte / tho tweyne worſchipful olde men/ Joſeph and ſymeon / goon bifore / joyfully holdyng either other by the hondes and with grete myrthe ſyngynge and ſeienge: Lord god / we haue reſceyued this day thy grete mercy in myddes of thy temple / and therfore after thy grete name / ſo be thy louynge and thy worſchippe in to the fertheſt ende of al the worlde. After hem foloweth the bliſſed moder and mayden marye berynge the kyng of heuene / Jeſu· and with hir on the one ſide gothePage  62 the worſchipful wydewe Anne / with grete reuerence and vnſpekeable ioye louynge and preiſynge god. This is a ſolempne and a worſchipful proceſſioun of ſo fewe perſones / bot grete thinges bytokenynge and repreſentynge· for there ben of alle ſtates of mankynde ſome / that is to ſaie of men and wommen / olde and ȝonge / maydenes and wydewes. Furthermore whan they weren comen to the auter of the temple / the moder / with reuerence knelynge downe / offreth hir ſwete ſone to the fader / god of heuene / ſeienge in this manere: Taketh now / hiȝeſt fader / ȝoure owne dere ſone / whom I offre here to ȝow after the biddynge of ȝoure lawe· for he is the firſte born of his moder: bot / gode fader / I byſeche ȝow that ȝe ȝeue him aȝen to me. And than ſche riſynge vp lafte hym vppon the auȝter. A lord god / what offrynge is this! Sothely there was neuere ſeien ſuche another fro the bygynnynge of the world / ne ſchal neuer after in to the endynge. Now take we here goode hede hou the child Jeſus ſitte vppon the auȝter as it were another childe of the comoun peple / and with that loueliche face and ſadde chere he loketh and byholdeth vppon his dere moder and othere that there were preſente· paciently and mekely abidynge what thei wolden doo with him. And therewith weren brouȝt the preoſtes of the temple / and the child / lord of al the worlde / was bouȝt aȝen as a ſeruaunt for .v. penyes / that weren cleped cicles / a manere of money / after the lawe as othere. And whan Joſeph had paied that money for hym / the moder / oure lady / toke aȝen with ful glad wil hir bleſſid ſone. And after / ſche toke the forſeide briddes of Joſeph / and knelynge adoun and liftynge vp her eyȝen deuoutely vnto heuene / holdynge hem in her hondes offred hem / ſeienge thus: Al miȝty and merciful fader of heuene / vnderfonge ȝe this litel ȝifte and offerynge / andPage  63 the firſte ȝifte that ȝoure litel child this day preſenteth vnto ȝoure hiȝe maieſte of his ſymple pouerte. And therewith alſo the child Jeſu / puttynge his hondes to the briddes and liftynge vp his eiȝen to heuene / ſpeke not / but ſchewed contenaunce of his offrynge with the moder: and ſo thei leiden hem vppon the auȝter. Now here takynge hede what they ben that thus offren / that is to ſaie the moder and the ſone· trowe we whether that offrynge / thouȝe it were litel / myȝte be forſake? Nay / god for bede. But we ſchulle fully trowe that it was by aungels preſented vppe in to the court of heuene / and thereof the fader of heuene ful gladly accepted / ſo that alle the bliſſed companye of heuene there thoruȝ was reioyſed and gladed.

¶ Aftir this was done / and ſo the lawe of god fully kepte / as it is ſeide / in alle that longed to the child fro his birthe in to this tyme / oure lady with hir bliſſed ſone and hir ſpouſe Joſeph toke the wey fro that citee of Jeruſalem homward into Naȝareth. But by the weie ſche viſited hir coſyn Eliſabeth / deſirynge alſo to ſee John / hir ſone / that ſche loued ſpecially. And what tyme they meten to gidre they maden grete ioye / and nameliche Eliſabeth whan ſche ſawe that bleſſid ſiȝt of the childe Jeſu· by vertu of whome in his firſte concepcioun John in her wombe reioyſed / and ſche alſo replenyſched with the holy gooſt. Alſo the childre / Jeſu and John / when they weren brouȝt to gedere thei kiſſeden othere louely and with lawhynge chere and maden moche merthe to gidre· bot John / as vndirſtondynge his lorde / had hym alwey in countenaunce / as with reuerence to hym. And what tyme they had reſted hem there certeyn dayes / oure lady with hir child and Joſeph wenten forth on her wey toward Naȝareth / as to her home and reſte· but ȝit fel no reſte to hem as it ſchal ſchewe after.

¶ Now ȝif we take good entent to the forſeide proces / and hou longe tyme they haue leyne oute of her owne hous in ſo grete pouerte and ſympleneſſe / by reſoun we ſchulde be ſtired to compaſſioun / and to lerne by enſaumple of hem mekeneſſe / pouerte / and buxumneſſe· that weren openly ſchewed in her ſymple dwellynge / in her pore offrynge / and in the lawe kepynge. And furthermor as the worldly men maken bodely myrthe in this tyme of criſtemaſse / fro the Natiuite in to this day or feſte of the purificacioun / that is i-cleped Candelmaſſe / ſo ſchulde euery deuout ſoule in this tyme ſpecially / with deuocioun and goſtly merthe in ſoule / worſchippe and honour that bliſſed child Jeſu and his moder marye· viſitynge hem by contemplacioun and ſome deuowte prayer / at the leſte ones on the daye / as they ſeien in ſpirit oure lady with her child liggynge at the cracche· hauynge therwith in mynde the mekenes / the pouerte / and the buxumneſſe of hem / as it is ſeide· and louynge hem and kepynge hem vertuouſly in dede. Amen.